Navicular syndrome is known to be a problem of soundness in horses that can be cured if early diagnosis and treatment is done. It is a disease that affects the bones causing inflammation and degeneration to it and the surrounding tissues usually on the front feet. In advanced cases, it can lead to significant and even disabling lameness. Navicular pain in horses is thus a common condition in horses that can be controlled.
The veterinarian needs to look at both the clinical signs and the radiographic signs before making a diagnosis. This means that he needs to carefully observe the hoof x-rays and check for other signs during the physical examination. One cannot immediately connect this pain to the condition because it has many causes; hence, stating the importance of x-rays.
There are obvious signs that the veterinarian needs to be keen and watch out for. Limping that is caused by shifting all the weight from the heel to the toe because of the pain, a painful response when hoof testers are used on the middle third of the frog and finally the presence of long toes resulting in under run heels which usually causes the disease.
Many horses with navicular syndrome are lame in both front legs but will appear to be lame on one leg in their first examinations. This is because, when one leg has its nerves blocked, it will begin to limp with the opposite leg thus over working it. This sign should be the most important to the veterinarian that the horse has a problem in the navicular bone.
The basis for treatment of the navicular syndrome should be correct shoeing rather than corrective shoeing. Horse owners should be aware of the rules of hoof balancing that is done from the front to back, then side to side. On the other hand, front hooves should be parallel to their pastern while back ones on the other hand should be aligned parallel to the pastern.
Trimming of their long toes is done to curb the problem of under slung heels which happens to be the most common problem for these horses. Correcting the heel can be another difficult solution that involves extending the shoe backward from the heel to the location where it ought to have been if the heel was not under run.
Treatment using drug therapy should also be considered as the second step. The most successful drug used on the condition being lsoxsuprine which dilates blood vessels. This expects that it will increase blood circulation to navicular bone. Reports have indicated that approximately 80% of horses diagnosed with the disease will respond to it.
Additionally, exercising is a better way to increase circulation to the foot and is considered a form of treatment. The horse should be made to learn how to shift most of its weight to hind legs. Riders make use of the long and low technique to achieve the goal. Pain can be completely managed when the horse becomes good in the weight shifting.
The veterinarian needs to look at both the clinical signs and the radiographic signs before making a diagnosis. This means that he needs to carefully observe the hoof x-rays and check for other signs during the physical examination. One cannot immediately connect this pain to the condition because it has many causes; hence, stating the importance of x-rays.
There are obvious signs that the veterinarian needs to be keen and watch out for. Limping that is caused by shifting all the weight from the heel to the toe because of the pain, a painful response when hoof testers are used on the middle third of the frog and finally the presence of long toes resulting in under run heels which usually causes the disease.
Many horses with navicular syndrome are lame in both front legs but will appear to be lame on one leg in their first examinations. This is because, when one leg has its nerves blocked, it will begin to limp with the opposite leg thus over working it. This sign should be the most important to the veterinarian that the horse has a problem in the navicular bone.
The basis for treatment of the navicular syndrome should be correct shoeing rather than corrective shoeing. Horse owners should be aware of the rules of hoof balancing that is done from the front to back, then side to side. On the other hand, front hooves should be parallel to their pastern while back ones on the other hand should be aligned parallel to the pastern.
Trimming of their long toes is done to curb the problem of under slung heels which happens to be the most common problem for these horses. Correcting the heel can be another difficult solution that involves extending the shoe backward from the heel to the location where it ought to have been if the heel was not under run.
Treatment using drug therapy should also be considered as the second step. The most successful drug used on the condition being lsoxsuprine which dilates blood vessels. This expects that it will increase blood circulation to navicular bone. Reports have indicated that approximately 80% of horses diagnosed with the disease will respond to it.
Additionally, exercising is a better way to increase circulation to the foot and is considered a form of treatment. The horse should be made to learn how to shift most of its weight to hind legs. Riders make use of the long and low technique to achieve the goal. Pain can be completely managed when the horse becomes good in the weight shifting.
About the Author:
Discover the effects of navicular pain on horses and how to seek treatment. To check the facts and symptoms, go to this site http://www.naviculardisease.com.
